The R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient from the SST Region 12 area is Raymond Broughton
Raymond is an outstanding student, employee, community member and young person in general, but employment was chosen as the area for this award. Raymond’s character, consistently optimistic outlook and professionalism make him a stellar student and employee. Raymond is a true model for overlooking disability and using his strengths to better himself and becoming employed
Raymond enrolled in the Restaurant Operations Program at MECTC and spent 2 years in the program working diligently to better his employability skills, social skills and overall restaurant etiquette skills. Next after deferring graduation, Raymond was enrolled in the Building Maintenance Program a perfectly matched program for him. In 2012-2013 Raymond was the local and state SkillsUSA Gold Medal winner and brought home the gold from the 2013 National SkillsUSA competition. Raymond will represent Mid-East at the 2014 state level once again this year! Raymond now has a full time job at Genesis Lifestyle and Fitness Center.
The Franklin B Walter Outstanding Educator Award Recipient from the SST Region 12 area is Nick Swaldo
Nick is a high performing teacher at Indian Valley High School. Nick is that special teacher that goes the extra mile to make sure students, but especially students with disabilities have access to a challenging curriculum that prepares them for life after high school. Nick has demonstrated his ability as an educational leader by modeling creative instructional methods for district teachers. Nick volunteers to provide OGT math intervention for ALL students. Nick makes himself available to tutor students during his prep periods, the school activity period and after school while serving as the district’s head wrestling coach. One freshman, algebra I inclusion student calls Mr. Swaldo “his best teacher he ever had, Mr. Swaldo knows who I am. He got to know me. My other teachers see me as a student, not a person.” A junior algebra II inclusion student says, “Mr. Swaldo has helped me plan for my future. Now I plan to go to college when I never thought college would be possible.” A senior Algebra II student says, “Mr. Swaldo explains things so I get it. He always is willing to give me help after school and I understand the material after he goes over it. He just is a very kind man.”
Nick, through his dedication and creative instructional approach has gained the respect among the IV staff as an instruction leader and an outstanding educator.